Category Archives: Squirrels

Inspecting Your Home for Animals this Spring

The winter weather has finally left the Chicago area and the spring season is the ideal time for homeowners to do a thorough inspection of their homes for animals or signs of an intrusion. This winter was extremely cold with record snowfall so it is possible that a squirrel, raccoon, or other animal may have found shelter in your home to escape the conditions. By thoroughly inspecting your home inside and out, you can locate potential entry points and discover areas where animals may have been.

Inspect from the top down

The best way to inspect your home for animal intruders is to start in the attic and work down towards the basement. When performing this inspection, make sure to take your safety into account as intruding animals may bite and scratch which could spread infection or disease. It is recommended to wear protective clothing, work gloves, and steel toe boots and it may be wise to consider wearing a respirator mask and safety glasses as well. Make sure to carry a bat or something to defend yourself with in case an animal is still hidden in your home and attacks you.

Areas in your home to keep an eye out for

As you work your way through the house, inspect the floors, walls, and ceilings for small openings that may allow animals to enter from the outside. These openings should be sealed to help prevent animals from entering in the future. When you reach the basement, use plenty of light during the inspection because working in the dark may startle groups of squirrels or skunks and create a difficult situation.

Finish with an exterior inspection

Your home inspection should end with a thorough inspection of the exterior of the house to locate and repair possible entry points. Make sure to carefully inspect the gutters, roof, foundation, and siding for any openings as well as vents, air ducts, and windows. As you discover potential entry points, look for any signs to suggest that an animal has been there.

This past winter had some of the harshest weather conditions the Chicago area has seen which makes it important to inspect your home for animals that may have intruded to escape the winter weather. Follow these tips as you work your way through your home and if you do not feel comfortable searching through certain areas of the house, contact an animal control professional such as Attic Solutions for assistance. It is best to locate and remove any intruding animals now before they start breeding.

As soon as you suspect you may have a animal infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with animal exclusion and removal, including humane live animal trapping (never poisons!). We will remove the animal and fix any property damage they may have caused. Click to read more about animal removal services from Attic Solutions.

What’s that Noise? Animals could be in Your Home

What's driving you nuts? Squirrel Imagine you are in your bed, happy to be lying down after a long day but your rest is abruptly interrupted by loud scratching noises coming from your walls or attic.

If these noises persist, chances are you have an unwelcome roommate scratching around within your walls, attic, crawlspaces, or basement.

Animals that invade homes are looking for food and shelter and if they become too comfortable, they may start digging further into your home scratching through wood, drywall, or insulation.

It is best to contact a wildlife control expert such as Attic Solutions if an animal is found in your home.

For professional wildlife removal and attic restoration call: (847) 464-1861

The following are the most common noise-causing home invaders and a description of the noises they make.

Scratching Noises from Bats

Bats are most likely to invade homes in the late summer and fall seasons and they often enter through small openings in the attic. They have a tendency to get stuck in walls and respond by making scratching and squeaking noises as they try to free themselves.

Bats can also form colonies in attics if there is a significant infestation which can be very noisy and cause property damage. The scratching and scurrying noises from bats occur mostly at night because they are nocturnal animals. If you believe your home may have bats due to scratching noises, contact Attic Solutions to have a professional check it out.

Related: Bat Hibernation

Noises from Rats and Mice

Rodents such as rats and mice are among the most common home invaders and they can usually be identified by the scratching noises they make. They can be heard scratching around within walls and ceilings as they seek food and shelter within your home. Attic Solutions can help rid your home of a rat or mouse infestation and implement preventative measures to help keep rodents out of your home.

Trapped Birds

Birds typically enter homes looking for a nesting spot and their quest sometimes causes them to get stuck in walls, attics, or crawlspaces. As birds try to find a way out, they make scratching and chirping noises or cause a commotion by vigorously flapping their wings. They are most likely to be heard early in the morning as they try searching for food. Make sure to contact Attic Solutions if you suspect a bird infestation in your home.

Noises from Raccoons

Raccoons are known for invading home attics in search of shelter and making homes for themselves out of the insulation. Raccoons are nocturnal animals and can be heard scurrying in the ceiling and making scratching noises in the middle of the night. They are also among the loudest home invaders. It is best to have a professional from Attic Solutions handle a raccoon intrusion as they can be quite wily and dangerous.

Related: Raccoons in the attic

Squirrel Noises

Squirrels most commonly invade homes through the attic from tree tops and they can be heard running, jumping, and scratching in the ceiling. They are most active during the day and make the most noise when coming and going from the house to look for food. Squirrels can be quite tricky to deal with which is why you should contact Attic Solutions if you discover a squirrel in your home.

As soon as you suspect you may have an animal infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with animal exclusion and removal, including humane live animal trapping (never poisons!).

We will remove the animal and fix any property damage they may have caused. Click to read more about animal removal services from Attic Solutions.

Call us at (847) 464-1861

Nesting Season for Wildlife

It has been a long winter in the Chicago area but the spring is finally here and the wildlife that inhabits the area will become more active as the temperature starts to rise. The majority of the wildlife in the Chicago area has been dormant throughout the winter and by the spring; they are looking to build nests which may cause some of them to invade your home or yard, digging up your lawn or destroying your property in the process. However, there are some preventative actions you can take to prevent animals such as rodents, birds, and others from nesting on your property. If you discover an infestation that has already taken place in your yard or home, contact Attic Solutions to have the animal removed.

Spring Animal Nesting

The main priority of most animals after they become active in the spring is to build a nest for themselves and their offspring. There are several locations in which animals may nest such as trees and shrubs as well as places where they become a nuisance such as chimneys, attics, or basements. These animals may also cause problems as they collect materials to build their nests by digging up plants in the yard or destroying insulation and drywall if they are nesting within your home. While it is natural and unavoidable for wildlife to nest in the spring season, taking certain preventative actions can reduce the possibility of an animal nesting in your home or property.

Nesting Prevention

Taking the right preventative actions is crucial when dealing with wildlife because it could save you from the property damage and headaches that an animal infestation causes. One such preventative action that will help keep animals out of your home is trimming your shrubs, bushes, and trees so that they are away from your house. Certain animals such as squirrels and birds may build their nests in trees and bushes and if the branches are close to or touching the house, it will be much easier for an animal to enter your home. Another important preventative action to take is to inspect your home for possible entry points and fixing them so that animals do not have a way in. This includes checking for torn screens, cracks, holes, or any other spaces that could act as potential entry points. It is also beneficial to keep attics, garages, and basements free of clutter so that animals do not have extra places to hide.

As the wildlife activity increases in these first few weeks of spring, take some time to inspect your yard and your home and take these preventative actions if necessary to make sure that animals stay out of your home. Most animals will be nesting in the coming weeks and even if you take the necessary preventative actions it is still possible for an infestation to occur in your home or lawn. By following these preventative actions and keeping a constant watch for potential intruders, you can avoid animal intrusions this spring.

Chimneys are Common Entry Points for Wildlife

The tail end of the winter is still bombarding the Chicago area with snow and freezing temperatures and as a result, certain species of wildlife are finding their way indoors through the chimney. Homeowners should routinely check their chimney stacks and fireplaces to make sure that there are no animals trying to enter their homes and if their chimneys are vulnerable to animal intrusions, they must take the proper actions to keep them secure.

Wildlife are Attracted to Chimneys

The most common home invaders this time of year are birds and squirrels that are attracted to the warm exhaust released by the chimney. These animals bask in the heat from the chimney but also inhale the carbon monoxide fumes in the exhaust which knocks them unconscious and causes them to fall down the chimney. When they hit the bottom of the chimney, the fresh air revives them and they look for a way out of the chimney either through the ash clean-out door or by climbing up the venting tube. Once they leave the chimney, they are loose in the house.

Fireplace chimneys are also quite vulnerable to animal invasions as small animals are attracted to the warm air from the fireplace dampers and often fall into the chimney. Birds and squirrels cannot climb back up the chimney flue after falling in and end up in the fireplace or inside the house. Raccoons however can climb up chimney flues rather easily and female raccoons have even been known to have litters on the smoke shelf above the dampers in fireplace chimneys. The chirping of the baby raccoons within a chimney is often mistaken as that of birds by homeowners.

Preventing Wildlife in Chimneys

If the chimney of your home is vulnerable to animal invasions, installing a chimney cap can fix the problem. Measure the chimney flue from the outside to get the right size and purchase a cap made from galvanized or stainless steel. New chimney caps can be easily installed with just a screwdriver but the installation can be more complicated if you have an oddly sized flue or if you are not comfortable working on your roof. The professionals at Attic Solutions can install chimney caps and inspect the rest of your home to locate and seal any other potential entry points. Keep an eye on your chimney for the remainder of the winter and make sure to contact Attic Solutions immediately if you discover an invasive animal in your home.

Animals That Are a Common Nuisance in the Winter

animals in home during winter The Chicago area is in the middle of one of the coldest winters to ever hit this area and as a result, people are not the only ones looking indoors for shelter.

Many different types of wildlife throughout the area are looking for shelter from the winter weather and may end up invading your home. Certain species require homeowners to take extra precautions to keep them out of their homes beyond just simple pest proofing.

Be sure to always look out for signs of an animal intrusion such as bite marks, droppings, and scratching noises, and you can avoid attracting animals to your property by keeping your trash well sealed and your trees and bushes trimmed back from the house.

If you do discover an animal intrusion in your home this winter, please call Attic Solutions immediately to have a wildlife professional remove the animal.

I want professional help with my animal problems

The following species are the most common nuisances in the winter to watch for with some ideas for preventing them from invading your home.

Common Winter Animal Invaders

Bats:

These nuisance species are found throughout the United States and generally vary in size from 2 to 7½ inches in length with a wingspan of up to 15 inches.

They can be found roosting in dark, secluded areas which makes them attracted to indoor spaces like attics and eaves. Bat infestations can be troublesome for a household because their droppings can damage property and they also carry diseases such as rabies which could be spread to humans.

Bats are a protected species in Illinois so it is best to call Attic Solutions to eliminate a bat infestation.

Opossums:

These marsupials are another common winter nuisance that invade homes. They can grow to be up to 40 inches in length and are usually found throughout the U.S. in swamps, woods, or open fields in abandoned burrows and tree cavities.

Opossums commonly enter homes through the attic or garage and they have also been known to build nests under decks and porches.

The best way to prevent opossums from invading your home is to seal off the area under your deck or porch and locate and seal potential entry points in the garage, attic, or basement.

Raccoons:

Raccoons are one of the most difficult nuisance animals to deal with as they can grow to be up to three feet in length as adults. They typically build dens in secluded spots such as hollow trees, burrows, and rock crevices and may even build dens in an attic or garage. Food and garbage attract raccoons onto a property and once they get into your home, they can cause significant property damage and spread diseases to humans such as rabies and salmonella. Raccoon infestations can be prevented by keeping food and garbage well sealed but due to their crafty nature, raccoons should be handled by the professionals at Attic Solutions.

Tree Squirrels:

Tree squirrels are common throughout all regions of the U.S. and depending on the specific species; they can vary in color and size from 6 to 15 inches in length. They build nests in tree cavities and on tree branches but when the temperature drops, they begin looking for warmth in basements or attics.

The biggest threat that squirrels pose is the threat of significant property damage caused by chewing on drywall, telephone lines, and electrical wires which could be a fire hazard.

Homeowners can help prevent squirrels from invading their homes by locating and sealing entry points in the basement and attic but you should contact Attic Solutions if a squirrel infestation is discovered in your home.

As soon as you suspect you may have a animal infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal.

We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with animal exclusion and removal, including humane live animal trapping (never poisons!). We will remove the animal and fix any property damage they may have caused. Click to read more about animal removal services from Attic Solutions.